MANAGUA – Nicaragua is to host the IV International Tobacco Festival opening Wednesday which will see buyers from the United States, Europe and Latin America, according to the organizers of the event.

The event, with “Puro Humo” (Pure Smoke) as its slogan, will be held in Managua and in the northern city of Esteli, the President of the Nicaraguan Association of Cigars, Nestor Plasencia, told journalists Monday.

There will be participation from 15 tobacco companies that are part of the association, including Nicaraguan brands that have featured among the world’s top ten by the Cigar Aficionado magazine, Plasencia said.

Managua will host the opening of the festival and three days of the event will be moved to the city of Esteli where the country’s major tobacco companies will meet.

At least 100 people, including investors, buyers, personalities and consumers will participate in the tasting of cigars that have won awards worldwide.

The festival expects attendees to enjoy the quality of the Nicaraguan tobacco at gala dinners in Managua and visits to farms and plantations in Esteli, according to the official program.

The participants will also get detailed information of what makes tobacco from Nicaragua have the best quality in the world, according to the sources.

According to official figures, in 2014 Nicaragua exported cigars worth $49.7 million.

The main markets for Nicaraguan cigars are the United States, Germany, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Israel and France, according to the National Commission of Free Trade Zones.